US7812212B2 - Window dressing - Google Patents

Abstract

A self-adherent window dressing includes a fabric layer bounded by an edge. The fabric layer has an adhesive side, an opposite non-adhesive side, and an opening therein to allow for viewing therethrough. The opening is defined by a peripheral edge. A transparent film layer closes the opening and has first and second opposing sides. The film layer first side is non-adhesive and is mounted on the fabric layer adhesive side to close the opening in the fabric layer. The film layer second side has a skin adhering adhesive portion and an adhesive-free portion. The adhesive-free portion is disposed partially in the opening and extending beyond the peripheral edge of the opening. The film layer adhesive-free portion is adapted not to stick to a patient's skin, a connector, a catheter, or other medical device disposed between the film layer adhesive-free portion and skin.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/977,757 filed Oct. 26, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,674,948 which is a division of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/209,888 filed Aug. 23, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,294,751.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to medical dressings, and more particularly to self-adherent window dressings for the protection, securement, and viewing of indwelling catheters, infusion needles, implanted port Huber access needles, medical tubing, or similar about an insertion site.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known in the art relating to dressings for the protection and securement of catheters and infusion needles to use self-adherent dressings to cover all or part of the insertion site. Even more simply, often medical grade tape is used to secure catheters and infusion needles to a patient, as well as to secure medical tubing extending from the catheter or infusion needle. The adhesive on tape or conventional dressings, however, often sticks to medical apparatus such as catheters, connectors, tubing, etc., rendering removal of the tape or dressing difficult. This is problematic because dressings/tape often have to be replaced before indwelling catheters or infusion needles are finished being used. When the adhesive sticks to the medical apparatus, it can cause damage to the medical apparatus as well as the insertion site or vein or artery, upon removal of the dressing, requiring relocation of the medical apparatus, or other medical intervention.

In the case of window dressings, adhesive within the area of the window can become stuck to the insertion site and the medical apparatus (e.g., a catheter) covered by the dressing. Also, tubing extending from medical apparatus, such as lumen extending from a catheter hub, can become stuck to the adhesive on the bottom side of the dressing in an area between a peripheral edge of the window and an outer edge of the dressing. When it is necessary to remove the dressing, the adhesion of the dressing to the catheter and the lumen can cause unwanted movement or displacement of the catheter from the insertion site.

Furthermore, medical tubing connected to indwelling catheters, infusion needles and the like is often subjected to inadvertent but significant pulling forces either caused directly by patient movement or by snagging of the tubing on other objects. These pulling forces might peel the medical tape or dressing securing the tubing and/or catheter, infusion needle, etc. off of the patient's skin. This undesirably exposes the catheter, infusion needle, etc. to movement inward or outward, increasing the likelihood that the catheter, infusion needle, etc. will fail and have to be replaced and inserted into a new insertion site. Also, this may weaken the adhesion between the dressing and the patient's skin, potentially exposing the insertion site to harmful bacteria.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a self-adherent medical window dressing that permits visual inspection of an insertion site. The window dressing includes a non-adhesive portion that will not stick to catheters, infusion needles, tubing, etc. that are protected by the dressing, allowing for easy removal and replacement of the dressing without damaging the catheter, infusion needle, or ultimately the insertion site itself. Furthermore, the present window dressing may include a reinforcement layer that increases the resistance of the dressing from peeling away from a patient's skin caused by, for example, pulling forces exerted by medical tubing.

More specifically, a self-adherent window dressing in accordance with the present invention includes a fabric layer bounded by an edge. The fabric layer has an adhesive side, an opposite non-adhesive side, and an opening therein to allow for viewing therethrough. The opening is defined by a peripheral edge. A transparent film layer closes the opening and has first and second opposing sides. The film layer first side is non-adhesive and is mounted on the fabric layer adhesive side to close the opening in the fabric layer. The film layer second side has a skin adhering adhesive portion and an adhesive-free portion. The adhesive-free portion is disposed partially in the opening and extends beyond the peripheral edge of the opening. The film layer adhesive-free portion is adapted not to stick to a patient's skin, a connector, a catheter, or other medical device disposed between the film layer adhesive-free portion and skin.

Optionally, the adhesive-free portion may extend to the fabric layer edge. The window dressing may further include a reinforcement member adhered to at least a portion of the fabric layer and being disposed between the fabric layer and the transparent film layer. The film layer may generally extend to the fabric layer edge. The reinforcement member is a strengthening layer. The reinforcement member may be disposed between the outer edge of the opening and the fabric layer edge. The reinforcement member may be a netting material.

The dressing may also include a release liner having a releasable side contacting the film layer skin adhesive portion, the release liner generally extending to the film layer skin adhesive portion edge. Optionally, the release liner may include a first piece and a second piece that are folded such that each of the first and second pieces have a convenient grab tab formed by the fold. One of the pieces is releasable from the dressing without tampering with the other of the pieces.

In an alternative embodiment, a self-adherent window dressing in accordance with the present invention includes a fabric layer having an adhesive side, an opposite non-adhesive side, and an opening therein to allow for viewing therethrough. A transparent film layer closes the opening and has first and second opposing sides. The film layer first side is non-adhesive and is mounted on the fabric layer adhesive side to close the opening in the fabric layer. The film layer second side has a skin adhering adhesive portion and an adhesive-free portion. The adhesive-free portion is disposed partially in the opening and partially outside the opening. The film layer adhesive-free portion is adapted not to stick to a patient's skin, a connector, a catheter, or other medical device disposed between the film layer adhesive-free portion and skin.

Optionally, the adhesive-free portion may extend to an outer edge of the fabric layer.

These and other features and advantages of the invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of the invention taken together with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a window dressing in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 1A is an exploded view of an alternative embodiment of the window dressing;

FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the window dressing taken along the line2-2 inFIG. 1;

FIG. 2A is side cross-sectional view of the window dressing taken along theline2A-2A inFIG. 1A; and

FIG. 3 is an environmental view of the window dressing illustrating the window dressing securing and protecting a Huber needle and tubing on a patient.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings in detail,numeral10 generally indicates a self-adhering window dressing in accordance with the present invention. The window dressing includes an adhesive-free portion that allows for easy removal of the dressing without damage to or disturbance of the insertion site itself or to the catheter, infusion needle, infusion needle safety guard, tubing, or the like protected by the dressing. The window dressing may also resist edge peel forces exerted by medical tubing secured by the dressing.

Turning first toFIGS. 1 and 2, a self-adherent window dressing10 in accordance with the present invention includes afabric layer12 bounded by anedge14. Thefabric layer12 has anadhesive side16, an oppositenon-adhesive side18, and anopening20 therein to allow for viewing therethrough. Theopening20 is defined by aperipheral edge21. The adhesive on the fabric layeradhesive side16 may be a medical grade adhesive or similar. The dressing10 may further include areinforcement member22 adhered to at least a portion of thefabric layer12. The dressing10 also includes atransparent film layer24 closing thefabric layer opening20 and having first and second opposingsides26,28 respectively. When thereinforcement member22 is present, it may be disposed between thefabric layer12 and thetransparent film layer24. Also, thereinforcement member22 may be disposed between theperipheral edge21 of theopening20 and the fabric layerouter edge14.

In the illustrated embodiment, thereinforcement layer22 is generally of the same shape as thefabric layer12, including a similar opening. Thereinforcement layer22 need not be of this configuration. Thereinforcement member22 may also have anadhesive side34 and an oppositenon-adhesive side36, and thenon-adhesive side36 may be adhered to the fabric layeradhesive side16.

The film layerfirst side26 is non-adhesive and is mounted on part of the fabric layeradhesive side16 as well as the reinforcement member adhesive side34 (if present) to close theopening20 in thefabric layer12 and the opening in the reinforcement layer22 (if present). The film layersecond side28 has a skin adheringadhesive portion30 and an adhesive-free portion32. Theadhesive portion30 may include a medical grade adhesive similar to the adhesive used for thefabric layer12. Theadhesive portion30 partially overlaps theopening20 such that the adhesive portion partially coincides with the opening. The adhesive-free portion32 of thefilm layer24 partially overlaps theopening20 and extends partially within the opening and partially beyond theperipheral edge21 of the opening. Hence, the adhesive-free portion32 is disposed partially coincident with theopening20 and extends laterally beyond theperipheral edge21 of theopening20 so as to be disposed partially outside of theopening20 thereby partially overlapping thefabric layer12. The film layer adhesive-free portion is adapted not to stick to skin, a wound, a connector, catheter, infusion needle, infusion needle safety guard, medical tubing, or the like disposed between the film layer adhesive-free portion and a patient's skin.

The adhesive-free portion32 may have any shape and size that can surround the periphery of a catheter hub, connector fitting, infusion needle, safety guard, medical tubing, insertion site, wound, etc. covered by the dressing10 so as to prevent damage or dislocation when the dressing is removed. In one embodiment shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, the adhesive-free portion32 extends all the way to the fabric layerouter edge14. In another embodiment shown inFIGS. 1A and 2A, the adhesive-free portion32 extends beyond theperipheral edge21 of the opening but may be disposed within theouter edge14 of the fabric layer.

The film layeradhesive portion30 may be located between the adhesive-free portion32 and theouter edge14 of thefabric layer12. Essentially, theadhesive portion30 and the adhesive-free portion32 together cover the entire area of thesecond side28 of thefilm layer24.

Thefilm layer24 may generally either extend fully, or partially to thefabric layer edge14. Thereinforcement member22 may be a continuous strengthening layer extending around a periphery of the dressing10. Alternatively, the reinforcement member or members may be locally disposed about a portion or portions of the dressing, such as about tubing exits/recesses in the dressing. Thereinforcement member22 may be made of a netting material, a mesh, or other similar material with low elasticity properties. Thereinforcement member22 may also be disposed between theopening20 and thefabric layer edge14. It may alternatively be coincident withopening20 andedge14.

The dressing10 may further include at least onerecess38 in thefabric layer edge14 and thereinforcement member22 may be disposed about or coincident with, the at least onerecess38. Therecess38 is sized to receive medical tubing in order to aid in securing medical tubing exiting from underneath the dressing10, and reducing dressing edge peel. Optionally, the dressing10 may also include an absorbent pad member (not shown) adhered to theadhesive portion30 of thefilm layer24. For example, the absorbent pad member may surround theopening20. The absorbent pad member may absorb effluent from an insertion site disposed within theopening20 when the dressing10 is applied to a patient's skin.

The dressing10 may also include arelease liner40 having areleasable side42 contacting the film layerskin adhesive portion30. Therelease liner40 generally extends to thefabric layer edge14. Thereleasable side42 may be silicone coated or may have a similar coating. Optionally, therelease liner40 may include afirst piece44 and asecond piece46 that are folded such that each of the first and second pieces have atab48,50 formed by thefold52,54. One of the pieces is releasable from the dressing without tampering with the other of the pieces. This allows for exposure of part of the film layeradhesive portion30 for placement over tubings and apparatus and on part of the skin of a patient while the other part of the film layer adhesive portion remains covered so it cannot prematurely stick to the skin or to itself.

Turning next toFIG. 3, for purposes of example the dressing10 is shown covering and protecting a Huber infusion needle andsafety guard combination56 inserted into an implanted port at aninsertion site58 on a patient. The dressing10 is placed over the needle andsafety guard56 as well as theinsertion site58 and adhered to the patient's skin in such a way that the adhesive-free portion30 is on top of the needle andsafety guard56 andinsertion site58. Hence, when the dressing10 is removed, the dressing will not stick to the needle/safety guard56 or theinsertion site58. It can also be seen thatmedical tubing60 connected to the needle/safety guard56 is covered by the dressing10 proximate the needle/safety guard56. Further, a portion of thetubing60 exiting from underneath the dressing10 is disposed in thedressing recess38. Therecess38 thereby receives thetubing60 and helps to secure the tubing. Thereinforcement member22 is also disposed about thetubing60. If thetubing60 is pulled in any direction (up, left, right, axially, etc.), thereinforcement member22 receives some of the pulling force, distributes the pull force over a much larger adhesive skin contact area, and resists the peeling of the dressing10 away from the patient's skin.

In a separate embodiment, the dressing may include more than one opening in the fabric layer. In this embodiment, the adhesive-free portion of the transparent film layer may be disposed partially within each opening and may extend beyond each opening. For example, the dressing may include two openings, and the adhesive-free portion may be disposed in both openings and may extend between and/or beyond both openings. The dressing may otherwise have features similar to theembodiment10 described above.

Although the invention has been described by reference to specific embodiments, it should be understood that numerous changes may be made within the spirit and scope of the inventive concepts described. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the described embodiments, but that it have the full scope defined by the language of the following claims.

Claims (11)

1. A self-adherent window dressing comprising:

a fabric layer bounded by an edge, said fabric layer having an adhesive side, an opposite non-adhesive side, and an opening therein to allow for viewing therethrough, said opening being defined by a peripheral edge; and

a transparent film layer closing said opening and having first and second opposing sides;

said film layer first side being non-adhesive and being mounted on said fabric layer adhesive side;

said film layer second side having a skin adhering adhesive portion and an adhesive-free portion, said adhesive-free portion overlaps said opening and extends partially within said opening and partially beyond said peripheral edge of said opening so as to partially overlap the fabric layer;

whereby said film layer adhesive-free portion is adapted not to stick to a patient's skin, a connector, a catheter, or other medical device disposed between said film layer adhesive-free portion and skin.

2. The window dressing ofclaim 1, wherein said adhesive-free portion extends to said fabric layer edge.

3. The window dressing ofclaim 1, including a reinforcement member adhered to at least a portion of said fabric layer, and being disposed between said fabric layer and said transparent film layer.

4. The window dressing ofclaim 1, wherein said film layer generally extends to said fabric layer edge.

5. The window dressing ofclaim 1, wherein said reinforcement member is a strengthening layer.

6. The window dressing ofclaim 1, wherein said reinforcement member is disposed between said opening peripheral edge and said fabric layer edge.

7. The window dressing ofclaim 1, wherein said reinforcement member is a netting material.

8. The window dressing ofclaim 1, including a release liner having a releasable side contacting said film layer skin adhesive portion, said release liner generally extending to said fabric layer edge.

9. The window dressing ofclaim 8, wherein said release liner includes a first piece and a second piece, said first and second pieces being folded such that each of said first and second pieces have a tab formed by the fold; whereby one of said pieces is releasable from said dressing without tampering with the other of said pieces.

10. A self-adherent window dressing comprising:

a fabric layer having an adhesive side, an opposite non-adhesive side, and an opening therein to allow for viewing therethrough; and

a transparent film layer closing said opening and having first and second opposing sides;

said film layer first side being non-adhesive and being mounted on said fabric layer adhesive side;

said film layer second side having a skin adhering adhesive portion and an adhesive-free portion, said adhesive-free portion partially in partially overlaps said opening and partially overlaps said fabric layer outside said opening;

whereby said film layer adhesive-free portion is adapted not to stick to a patient's skin, a connector, a catheter, or other medical device disposed between said film layer adhesive-free portion and skin.

11. The window dressing ofclaim 10, wherein said adhesive-free portion extends to an outer edge of said fabric layer.

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